Temporal lobe tumor demonstrating ganglioglioma and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma components. Case report

The case is reported of a 16-year-old boy with a left temporal lobe tumor composed of a ganglioglioma and a pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. Histologically, the tumor had two different components. One component involved the cortex of the left posterior temporal lobe and showed an aggregation of neuronal cells with an astroglial stroma. Ultrastructurally, numerous dense-cored vesicles, diagnosed as ganglioglioma, were found in the neuronal cells. The other component involved the adjacent cortex and white matter of the left anterior temporal lobe and the surrounding subarachnoid space. This was composed of pleomorphic cells with many multinucleated giant cells and occasional foamy cells. Most of the tumor cells were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. These features correspond well to earlier descriptions of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. At 24 months following total tumor extirpation, the patient is alive and has had no evidence of tumor recurrence.